Tracy McGrady Reflects on Advising Jaylen Brown to Stay in Boston

The NBA legend helped convince the Celtics star to remain in 2019, leading to a championship run.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with sharp planes of color representing the players and the court. The vibrant greens, whites, and golds of the Celtics' uniforms are prominent, conveying the energy and intensity of the team's championship pursuit.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum leading the Boston Celtics to another championship run.Boston Today

In 2019, Jaylen Brown reached out to NBA legend Tracy McGrady for career guidance after a difficult season with the Boston Celtics. McGrady advised Brown to stay in Boston, believing he and Jayson Tatum could form an elite duo. Brown took McGrady's advice, and it paid off, as he and Tatum led the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2024, with Brown being named Finals MVP.

Why it matters

Brown's decision to stay in Boston, based on McGrady's counsel, proved pivotal in the Celtics' championship run. It highlights the value of veteran mentorship and the importance of patience and perseverance for young NBA stars.

The details

During the 2018-19 season, Brown saw his playing time and stats decrease from the previous year. Feeling frustrated, he reached out to McGrady for advice. McGrady, who was not emotionally connected to the Celtics, encouraged Brown to stay in Boston, believing he and Tatum could form a dangerous duo that the organization could build around. Brown took McGrady's advice, and the decision paid off, as he and Tatum led the Celtics to the 2024 NBA championship, with Brown being named Finals MVP.

  • In the 2018-19 NBA season, Brown's playing time and stats decreased from the previous year.
  • That offseason, Brown reached out to McGrady for career guidance.
  • In 2024, Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to the NBA championship, with Brown being named Finals MVP.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A rising star with the Boston Celtics, who reached out to Tracy McGrady for career advice in 2019.

Tracy McGrady

An NBA legend who provided career guidance to Jaylen Brown in 2019, encouraging him to stay in Boston.

Jayson Tatum

Jaylen Brown's teammate with the Boston Celtics, who formed an elite duo with Brown that led the team to an NBA championship in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“It's fascinating. He's very intelligent and a guy you suspect (would) have all the answers because he's a student of the game and he wants all the information. For him to reach out to me to just come sit down and have a conversation, because it was heavy on his heart and his mind, and what he wanted to do. For me, it was just (being) the voice of reason because I'm not emotionally connected to Boston. I'm not emotionally connected to anything with Boston. My connection is with him and trying to give him the best advice as possible.”

— Tracy McGrady, NBA Legend

What’s next

The Celtics are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are considered the favorites to win the conference and potentially capture their second championship with Brown and Tatum leading the way.

The takeaway

This story highlights the value of veteran mentorship and the importance of patience and perseverance for young NBA stars. Brown's decision to stay in Boston, based on McGrady's counsel, proved pivotal in the Celtics' championship run, demonstrating the impact that experienced guidance can have on a player's career trajectory.